Cat's Head Tilted down towards right side and pupils dilated

[naela0930]

Hello Everyone,
Two days ago, on Friday evening, my husband and I went out for dinner leaving our 4 yr old cat Simba in the house. It was about 7pm, he seemed fine and normal. We came home around 9:30pm and noticed his pupils dilated and he was favoring to his right side, his head was tilted towards the right. He didn't look normal, he looked weak. I called the Emergency Vet and they asked to bring him in. They did an oral exam, everything looked good but then the vet suggested to get his ears cleaned since there was a wax build up and sometimes cats lose their balance if their ears are not clean. We went ahead and got his ears cleaned. We brought Simba home but Simba did not improve. He seemed to have lost his appetite as well, he did however go down the stairs and use his litter box. The next morning, on Saturday, I called his regular vet and took him in. His vet checked and said they can run blood and urine tests to see what the cause could be. They gave us some prescription food and a syringe to force Simba some food down his throat since he won't eat on his own. He still seems very weak, walks a few steps and lays down. He uses his litter box on his own, I have to put him on the steps and he would go down himself. It's Sunday now and we are going to be getting the blood and urine tests tomorrow. I am so worried and anxious to find out what the outcome is, this is not my Simba anymore, I hope and pray he returns back to being himself again.
Any suggestions, anybody else experience this, please share with me. Is there hope for my Simba returning back to normal?

[sky489sky]

my cat is acting a little strange now however is it normal for cats to have there head down sidways?

[zodiacqueen]

Are you talking chronic renal failure?  I am seriously shocked because he's sooo young.  How bad is it?  Creatinine levels?  BUN levels?  Did the vet say they were slightly high, very high?  

You can put him on a special diet so that his kidneys won't have to work so hard, and you can keep getting his kidneys flushed with IV's.  This condition does get worse over time, I hate to tell ya that.  Hopefully, the vet(if you have a good one) will teach you how to give Simba IV fluids at home.  I have a friend that did that, and she kept her cat alive for years doing that. So, don't give up, there are things you can do to help your baby.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[naela0930]

We just got back from the animal hospital. Simba has been diagnosed with CRF. At this point, I don't know what to think even, I'm in shock!!!! He's so little to have that, why him? why?why?why?

[PrettyKitty1]

Please let us know how it goes. I know how you feel. When the vet told me my cat could have had colon cancer I became so sad. I imagine how desperate you must feel. My heart goes out to you and your little Simba. I hope everything will turn out just fine.
Keep us posted yeah?

[naela0930]

Thanks zodiacqueen. You brought tears to my eyes, but happy tears. Thanks a bunch for the support. I have been reading online about kidney disease in cats and ofcourse some people have success stories while others did not survive. I guess I will just wait for the outcome, depends on the individual cat. Yes, we are getting rid of all the plants (even if Simba doesn't chew on them), better to be safe than sorry. My husband and I have been brainstorming to find out what could be in the house that could have hurt our poor little baby. We had to take our daughter last night to see him since she was in school when we took him, and he seemed to be already doing better, the head tilt was not so bad anymore. The assistant who brought him out said Simba is a little fighter, he will be fine. I could not stop the tears, I just hope and pray he's alright.
I wish I could eat and enjoy the food I'm eating, but I can't seem to like anything right now, Im so anxious, I can only wait, and wait until Thursday.

[zodiacqueen]

I'm glad that you found out what was going on, now you have a better chance of treating it.  Yes, your cat is very young to have kidney problems!  I would make a list of anything and everything in your home that Simba could've gotten into-even if you're not sure whether it's poisonous or not.  I'd list everything from cleaning products(whatever the floors and countertops get cleaned with, cats will indirectly ingest), ALL of the plants(just to be on the safe side), etc.

The vet usually will try to flush the kidneys w/ IV fluids, and this usually helps a bunch!  Your cat is young and he's got that going for him.  Most cats are a lot older when kidney probs. start, so he's got a good chance.

Take care of yourself!  Simba needs a healthy mom to take care of him!  :D

[naela0930]

Well guys, I did get the results from the vet, Simba has kidney disease although the vet thinks that's very uncommon for a cat that young. He's in the hospital now, they are going to keep him for 3 nights for the treatment. The vet says after that, we are going to see if his kidneys can function on his own. Let's hope and pray everything turns out fine. He also has an ear infection, thus causing the head tilt, although this morning the head tilt was not so much. And yes Savas, the vet was also concerned about the food that Simba's been eating, and she would like me to get her the codes of those bags that I bought so she can check on it. The vet wants me to check around the house to see what Simba could have gotten into since he's an indoor cat, she was suggesting maybe lead? But I don't have lead paint in the house at all, I'm stumped, what toxins could be in the house? I have house plants, but I know Simba doesn't chew on them at all.
I sit here in tears since I don't know what the outcome of the treatment will be, all I can hope and pray is he recovers and his kidneys are functioning well. How will I sleep these 3 nights without Simba? He sleeps on my pillow although since Friday night, he's been sleeping next to me, but still on my bed. The house seems lonely without him.
I'll keep you guys posted, I pray I have good results on Thursday, in the meantime, please say a prayer for my baby Simba.

[Savas]

I thought I'd just check if you know if you're using any of the foods that are on the recent recall list from a few weeks ago...? Just a thought, mind you.

I hope its nothing serious. I was thinking stroke brought on by diabetes perhaps, although it would be a bit unusual in a cat so young...but not unheard of.

[PrettyKitty1]

Yes, please, let us know about the results. I will be hoping your kitty will have nothing serious.
Good Luck to you and your baby Simba.

[zodiacqueen]

Well, glad that we could help.  I hope that things go well at the vets, and you get some answers to ease your mind.  I know that waiting is no fun!!

Let us know what you hear from the vets!!

PS-I'll say a prayer for Simba!! :D

[naela0930]

Thank you PrettyKitty1 and zodiacqueen for your comments. I'm hoping and praying its nothing serious. He is now able to notice his treats and eat them when i toss it on the floor, this is an improvement from yesterday. I'm just waiting for tomorrow, as the clock keeps ticking. Yes, the pet did suggest X-rays if the blood/urine show nothing. I will keep you guys posted.
Thanks!!! and please say a little prayer for Simba, he's just the most adorable kitty with the best manners ever!

[zodiacqueen]

Usually when a person or animal is favoring one side of the body and you see pupil dilation, this usually tells you that their is something going on with the brain.  Pretty Kitty is right, this could be a poison that your cat got in to.  FIP and FIV will also cause brain damage in cats.  Have your vet check for these conditions.  Kidney and liver problems will cause personality changes in cats, too.

If you can't get any conclusive answers from the blood work, then I'd request an MRI.  Yes, it might be expensive, but it might be your best bet in finding out exactly what you're dealing with.  As they say, knowledge is power.

Please, let us know what the vet says.

[PrettyKitty1]

I have not experienced what you're describing right now but I really hope that whatever it is it can be detected in the blood or urine. Is he having his pupils dilated all the time even in the light? When this happens is mean there is definitely something very wrong going on. He may be having something wrong with the nerves connected to the eye or in the brain itself. Since nerves are responsible for sensing/detecting how much light gets to the eye, anything wrong with it is a serious sign. It could be brain tumor, glaucoma, or any toxic substance such as antifreeze. It may also be his diet if you feed him raw fish. Consuming poison is also a common cause for dilated pupil.

If the results do not tell anything your vet may suggest x-rays. Please follow your vet's advice and I hope Simba gets out of this one.

Best Wishes.